Rumble, rumble—
Thunder boomed across the dark night sky.
Cold rain lashed down.
The entire world was shrouded in water mist.
Two figures stood beside the bodies strewn haphazardly across the ground, waiting in silence.
The man at the head wore a full suit of golden armor, with a bright red cloak behind him. Light constantly streamed from his body, and his imposing presence was overwhelming.
Unfortunately, he wore a faceplate, making it impossible to see his true appearance.
A sharp birdcall came from the distance.
"They'll be here soon. You may withdraw. You cannot hear what we have to discuss," the man at the head said in a low voice.
"Yes, sir." The attendant behind him bowed, then silently hurried off into the distance.
A few seconds later.
A gale swept in.
Two figures appeared several dozen meters away, facing him.
A woman with gray wings.
And a bald man in monk-like robes, his eyes blindfolded.
"We're here," the bald man said.
"White Monk, you shouldn't have come to see me in such a hurry," said the man in golden armor.
"Hmm?"
The gray-winged woman licked her lips and spoke in a drunken-sounding voice. "Monks are all so clueless. I've been stuck working with him for ages without any fun. Maybe we could try..."
She slightly spread the pair of gray wings wrapped around her body, exposing her shoulders and collarbones.
The man in golden armor glanced at her, then raised a shield to protect himself and took several steps back.
The shield in his hand suddenly erupted with layers of brilliant light, enveloping him like a protective barrier.
Outside the barrier, ghostly women appeared one after another. At times, they looked alluring and seductive; at others, they became skeletons and let out savage roars.
"I thought you had